Apron Giveaway at Apronista

Anyone else love a good apron?  I almost always wear one in the kitchen and often for housekeeping and gardening as well.  The Apronista is giving away this cute, sexy apron in their February giveaway.  Enter today!

Handmade Christmas Gifts

How are your Christmas plans coming along?  I am slow to get started, but have all my shopping done.  I still have my handmade gifts to work on, but feel good that I finally have a plan and a list. 

Here are a few items on my list this to make this year.  I will also be sharing some canned salsa and pepper jelly from my pantry. 

Plump Partridge Ornaments from Modest Maven blog; thanks, Sew Can She!

Tohuku Totes from I Am Momma Hear Me Roar:

 

No-Sew Fleece Blankets from A Chelsea Morning:
Hint:  Fleece throws are on sale between $1.99-$2.99 this time of year, making these a super-affordable gift for kids & friends...cheaper than buying the fleece!

Check out my Pinterest Page for hundreds more ideas!  Feel free to link me some of your favorite tutorials for great gifts. 

Pattern Testing ~ Go To Leggings

I recently tested a new pattern for Go To Pattern shop, the Go To Leggings.  This is a versatile pattern for sizes 12mo-11/12 that includes shorts, capris, regular and extra-long lengths as well as a skirted option.  Also included are variations including rouching, cargo pockets, bow cut-outs and ribbon trim.  So many ways to customize your leggings!

I made the extra-long rouched leggings.  My free arm made it hard to rouche the inside of the legs, so I only did the outer leg.  These are in thermal knit and my big girl loves them!  I also made a pair of bike shorts using the pattern.  It is definitely a Go-To pattern! 

Andrea is running a sale through 11/9/12.   Use coupon code GTLDAY to get $1 off for the next 24 hours only. http://gotopatterns.com/products/go-to-leggings/

Leah Dress Testing and County Fair 2012

I was able to test the Leah Dress from Pixie Dust Patterns awhile back.  This is a gorgeous maxi-dress for girls size 12mo-7.  This was my first time sewing a Pixie Dust patterns and the directions were pretty good.  The bodice was the only pattern piece to print and the rest is just cutting rectangles.  I found the sizing to be very good and comparable to ready-to-wear sizing.  My girl likes that the sash is long enough to wrap around the front, as she doesn't like big bows behind her back when sitting.  Overall, she likes the dress and it was a good pattern.

I was not able to see a final copy of the pattern to see if my recommendations were used regarding terminology.  Nothing is cut on the bias, yet the binding was referred to as "bias tape."  Picky of me, but there is a difference.  Find more Pixie Dust Patterns on their website here.  You have to register on the website to see all the patterns - picky of me to think this odd. 

We were big winners at the County Fair this year.  Mama won 11 blue ribbons, one People's Choice award and other second & third place ribbons.  I entered mostly canned goods and garden produce but had 5 garments entered as well.  The kids each won a ribon for their entries in art, woodworking and Legos.  In all, we won enough to cover our entry fees and fried food! 

We were able to spend one week at the Oregon Coast at the end of summer break.  It was so relaxing to have an oceanside room and hear the waves crashing.  There were large rocks with tide pools, starfish and other fun sea critters nearby.  It was a good week!  Hard to believe we've been in school for over a month now and it's October already.  Time to work on Halloween costumes then on to Christmas gifts!

Winner!

Congratulations, Kristina!  She is the winner of a year's subscription to Sew News.  Enjoy!

Sew News Givaway!

Happy Fall!  To celebrate the change of seasons I have a giveaway to share with you.  I enjoy reading Sew News magazine.  It has many helpful sewing tips, free templates & patterns and projects to adapt patterns.  I was even pictured in the Aug/Sept issue for a reader comment I left on the Facebook page :) 

My renewal is due and they're having a 2 for the price of 1 sale, so I'd like to offer the free subscription to one of my readers.  To enter, please leave a comment telling me how you follow Mama Lusco Handmade.  You can follow my blog, on Facebook or on Pinterest.  I'm most active on Facebook and Pinterest, so I'd encourage you to find me there!  Please leave a contact address so I can reach my winner.  I'll pick one on Friday, Sept 28th around noon PST.  Good luck and happy sewing!

Summer Fun

Long time, no blog!  We've had a busy summer.  I've been working 3 part-time nursing jobs, so I haven't had much time lately for sewing or crafting.  We've enjoyed a few camping trips and a few days at the beach.  It's football season again, so it's back to work for the hubby and I'll be shuttling the kids to football, volleyball and soccer practices.  Whew!  Makes me tired just thinking of how organized I'll have to be!

I am dusting off the sewing machine & serger to test a new maxi dress pattern.  I hope to share pictures with you soon!

Home Again!

I'm home again, after a crazy week at Wyldlife camp (Young Life for middle-schoolers).  We drove over 1000 miles to get our 3 kids to Grandma's house & back so we could go to camp.  It was a crazy, exhausting week but lives were changed. 

I only had a few really messy moments this year...the mud pit with our team, shaving cream pie in the face and pizza toppings on my face.  Early mornings, a huge water park, crazy games and late nights = one tired Mama!

Awhile back, I used my Twin to make a criss-cross bodice maxi dress.  I drew the pattern off a shirt that fit well and made it using ITY knit so it's super-comfy.  It looks great paired with a big belt.  This was my first time using my Twin and she fits just like me!  I'm looking forward to using my dress form more in the future.  I really liked the hemming tool.

I also made a rodeo shirt for my neighbor girl's birthday.  She does Pee-Wee Rodeo and loved the shirt!

I'm starting another part-time job, so now I have 3!  I'm no longer a stay-at-home mom but am working more like full-time the last 2 months.  I hope to get back to a little sewing as I get used to the crazy work schedule.  It's been great having the kids & hubby home for the summer and we're also hoping to get some camping & fishing in soon.  Enjoy your summer!

Long Time, No Blog!

I apologize for my absence!  Life has been crazy busy in our household the past month.  Mama now has 3 part-time jobs which equals little time for my hobby blogging and sewing.  I am more active on Facebook and Pinterest than the blog these days, so please follow me there if you don't already.

Exciting news!  I had a project selected for the upcoming One Yard Little Wonders book!  I spent time this week sewing the sample item for their book photos and tour and finalizing the pattern.  I hope to have photos to share with you soon.

I hope you are well.  Are you also feeling lack of motivation towards blogging?  It's just more convenient for me to hop on Facebook and see what my family, friends and sewing friends are up to... 

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

It's time for Sew, Mama, Sew's Spring Giveaway Day!  There are five pages of giveaways posted on the SMS blog, so I hope you have time to enter before the giveaways close on May 25th.  Have fun!